R&B Masterpieces in Western Music: From the Latest Hits to Timeless Classics [2025]
The history of R&B—rhythm and blues—goes way back, and the term itself is said to have existed since the 1940s.
That said, the image most people have of R&B as a music genre today was largely established from the 1990s onward, shaped through the lens of club music.
In this article, the first half features a lineup focused on the latest hits and standout tracks by rising artists, while the latter half is packed with classic songs from the 1990s, often called the golden age of R&B.
It offers a broad selection that also looks at subgenres like contemporary R&B, neo-soul, and alternative R&B, so we encourage newcomers to R&B to check it out as well.
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Western R&B Masterpieces: From the Latest Hits to All-Time Classics [2025] (211–220)
Come Thru (feat Usher)Summer Walker
Born in 1996 and hailing from Atlanta, Summer Walker is regarded as one of the leading female singer-songwriters in alternative R&B since the late 2010s, earning attention alongside SZA, H.
E.
R.
, and Ella Mai.
Her highly praised fusion of a 90s R&B-inspired sound—now increasingly trendy—with contemporary trap makes it easy to see why her 2019 debut album, Over It, peaked at No.
2 on the U.
S.
charts.
Come Thru, a hit single from that album, features the hugely popular singer Usher.
The track boldly samples Usher’s 1997 classic You Make Me Wanna.
.
.
, and the decision to invite him as a guest reflects Walker’s deep love for 90s music.
Walker’s languid vocals, with their distinctive sense of rhythm, fit the song’s atmosphere perfectly.
Girls Need LoveSummer Walker
If you’re looking for mellow R&B, Summer Walker is my top recommendation! All of her songs are great, but “Girls Need Love” in particular is packed with elements of contemporary R&B, so I think it’s very easy to listen to.
The synths sound like you’ve dived into deep water, and the trap-style beat is super stylish.
Officially Missing YouTamia
Tamia is a leading Canadian female R&B singer.
In 1999, she collaborated with Eric Benét on the song “Spend My Life With You,” which propelled her to global stardom.
One of her signature tracks is “Officially Missing You.” It’s an early-2000s slow jam with a sweet, slightly melancholic vibe.
While it follows classic R&B sensibilities, its acoustic, very relaxed tempo makes it surprisingly memorable.
Western R&B Masterpieces: From the Latest Popular Tracks to Timeless Mega-Hits [2025] (221–230)
Love Me JeJeTems
Marked by a powerful beat and lustrous vocals, this track is an ambitious work released by Nigerian artist Tems in April 2024.
Her unique vocals blend with alternative R&B and neo-soul to create a sound that reflects deep emotion and her own life—truly striking.
The song has drawn attention as the lead single from her debut album, Born in the Wild.
It also notably samples Nigerian singer-songwriter Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 hit.
It’s a track where Tems’s musical roots and contemporary sensibility fuse beautifully—highly recommended for R&B fans.
Starboy ft. Daft PunkThe Weeknd
Since the 2010s, The Weeknd has made a sensational debut as a pioneering figure among singers labeled as alternative R&B, and has since grown into a global top artist.
This is his massive hit! Featuring Daft Punk—the legendary French electronic duo who sadly announced their breakup in 2021—Starboy was released in 2016 as the lead track from the album of the same name.
Incorporating electropop elements, the song marked a step beyond his earlier introspective, ambient-leaning sound.
Considering that his 2020 album After Hours shifted further toward a style influenced by ’80s new wave and synth-pop, Starboy can be seen as a highly significant song in The Weeknd’s career.
The lyrics, which read like the boastful self-aggrandizement often seen in hip-hop culture, may be polarizing, but they also sound somewhat paradoxical—and that makes them intriguing.
Die For You (Remix)The Weeknd & Ariana Grande
In recent years, it’s become fairly common for previously released songs to go “viral” on social media and have a revival hit.
What’s interesting is that it’s not just classic oldies—songs from just a few years ago are part of this trend too.
“Die For You,” a track from The Weeknd’s third album Starboy released in 2016, didn’t make a huge splash when it was put out as a single in 2017, despite The Weeknd being a leading figure in alternative R&B and now a massively popular top star.
Five years later, in 2022, it exploded in popularity on TikTok and eventually climbed as high as No.
6 on the Billboard chart—quite an interesting trajectory.
The version I’m introducing here is the remix released in February 2023, featuring the hugely popular singer Ariana Grande.
Reading the emotionally raw lyrics that candidly reflect The Weeknd’s mindset at the time might help explain why the song resonated with the social media generation.
It’s also fun to compare it with the original version!
Un-Break My HeartToni Braxton
Toni Braxton, a female R&B singer who was hugely successful in the 1990s.
She’s created numerous hit songs, but the one I especially recommend is the classic “Un-Break My Heart.” Her greatest appeal is undoubtedly her low-register voice.
This track is crafted as an R&B piece that fully showcases that rich lower range.
If you’re into emotional R&B, this will hit the spot—be sure to check it out.